Quick release locking belt clip mechanism for engaging portable electronic devices

ABSTRACT

A belt clip mechanism is constructed in a manner to provide a positive lock between a support arm and a securement arm of the clip. The support arm has a top end with a tongue and a bottom end with a barbed flange. The securement arm has a top end with a planar hand and a bottom end with an offset. The support arm includes a pair of opposed bosses near the top end while the securement arm includes a pair of opposed flanges near its top end. The two arms are held together by a shaft that extends through the bosses and flanges. A torsional spring is attached about the shaft to provide biasing of the offset in continuous contact against the barbed flange, thereby forming a positive locking of the securement arm to the support arm. The barbed flange includes a base that flexures upon a downward external force to allow the offset to unseat within the barbed flange as a simultaneous force is applied to squeeze the tongue and planar hand together to overcome the spring bias.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to belt clips for fastening electronic devices and other portable communication equipment to a user's body and more particularly to a quick-release spring-like locking mechanism on a belt clip that attaches to the case or holster that is used for carrying an electronic device.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

Public usage and acceptance of portable electronic communication devices such as beepers, pagers, cell phones, and other devices such as palm pilots, digital cameras and MP3 players has increased by magnitudes over the last several years due to various factors such as size reduction over previous versions, greater choice and affordability, and general familiarity and acceptance of technological changes in society.

This increase in small electronics popularity has increased the desires of the owners of such devices to transport them without the need to hand carry them or carry them within a pocket, purse, brief case or other personal accessory holder. As a result, various types of electronic device cases or holsters have been developed to specifically address the portability issue related to each type of device. Most prior art cases or holster devices include some type of belt clip that connects about the belt of the user in some particular fashion. Furthermore, these prior art belt clips can either be an integral part of the case or holster or it can be a separate element that removably attaches to the case or holster proper. Many prior art devices have continuously improved the mechanisms for releasably securing the case or holster to the belt clip. However, a common inherent shortfall with all of these types of belt clips is that they have a tendency to disengage from the belt itself. Disengagement may occur when a diminutive force is indiscriminately applied against the electronic device during various activities such as bending, scurrying to cross a street, or where the device temporarily engages the arm of an office chair or desk underpanel when the user stands. Disengagement may further occur when the seat belt of a car or airplane presses or pulls against the electronic device. Preventing unexpected and unintentional disengagement of the belt clip from the case or holster would be desirable and heretofore, none of the prior art disclosures directly address this common problem. Thus, there is still a long felt need for an improved belt clip mechanism that overcomes the shortfalls mentioned above by providing a quick-release, locking belt clip mechanism that provides a positive lock of the belt clip about the belt of the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved belt clip mechanism for use with a case or holster of an electronic device which provides a positive lock about the belt of a user and which can be expediently unlocked. The object is met in the present invention by providing a belt clip mechanism that is comprised of a support arm and a securement arm. The support arm has a top end with a tongue and a bottom end with a barbed flange. The securement arm has a top end with a planar hand and a bottom end with an offset. The support arm includes a pair of opposed bosses near the top end while the securement arm includes a pair of opposed flanges near its top end. The two arms are held together by a shaft that extends through the bosses and flanges. A torsional spring is attached about the shaft to provide biasing of the offset in continuous contact against the barbed flange, thereby positively locking the securement arm to the support arm. The barbed flange further includes a base that flexures upon a downward external force to allow the offset to unseat from locking contact within the barbed flange as a simultaneous force is applied to squeeze the tongue and planar hand together to overcome the spring bias.

The present invention further comprises a method of constructing a conventional bedding mattress having illumination properties. That method comprises the steps of providing a core of interconnected coil springs, securing a netting layer on said top of said core, placing a translucent padding layer on top of said netting layer, and then enveloping a covering about said core, netting layer and padding layer, wherein said covering contains a translucent padding therein.

The features and advantages of the invention will be further understood upon consideration of the following detailed description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of the lockable quick release belt clip of the present invention showing the clip in a locked position.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the belt clip shown in FIG. 1 with the lockable quick release mechanism in an opened position; and

FIG. 3 is a frontal view of the belt clip shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial end view of a first embodiment of a boss and flange of the belt clip mechanism, particularly a right set which is shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a partial end view of a second embodiment of a boss and flange of the belt clip mechanism, particularly a left set which is shown in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a partial cross sectional view of a third embodiment of the boss and flange of the belt clip mechanism, particularly of a left set which is shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a second embodiment of the invention which shows the securement arm as a planar member and the biasing means as a unitary member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the figures, the lockable quick release belt clip mechanism 20 in accordance with the invention is shown. The numeral 10 designates an external protective carrying case or holster of an electronic device (not shown) such as a cellular phone or the like. The case is typically constructed of leather or a very pliable plastic that securely envelopes the electronic device. The case 10 includes a connections means 15 which can be constructed in a variety of ways that are known in the prior art and it should be understood that the particular type of a connection means should not limit the scope of the invention. For instance, it is envisioned that one type of known connections means comprises a male protrusion member 13 and a female member 17. The male protrusion member 13 is shown attached to the case 1, while the female receiving flange 17 is shown attached to the backside of the clip 20. Alternatively, the male and female members may be interchanged on the case and clip. Generally, this particular type of connection means operates by sliding the protrusion member 13 into a locked position within the female flange member 17.

An elongated clip mechanism 20 of the invention locks the case or holder 10 of the portable electronic device about a person's belt 12. The elongated clip mechanism 20 is comprised of a support arm 30 and a securement arm 70. The support arm 30 has a central stem portion 32, a top end 34, and a bottom end 36. The support arm further includes a front side 31, a back side 33, a first lateral end face 60 and a second lateral end face 62. The distance between the first and second lateral end faces 60, 62, defines a lateral extent “L” of the support arm. One portion of the connection means 15 is integrally connected to the backside 33 of the central stem portion 32 at approximately the midpoint or slightly thereabove. Other means for attaching one part of the connection means 15 to the stem portion 32 may be used such as gluing, bonding or screwing. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, it is seen that the female flange member 17 is integrally formed on backside 33 of support arm 30, although the male protrusion member 13 could have been integrally formed thereupon instead. The top end 34 of the support arm 30 includes an integrally formed tongue 38 that is offset at an acute angle from the plane of the central stem portion 32. As best seen in FIGS. 1-3, a pair of opposed bosses 50A and 50B are integrally formed as part of the support arm 30 at the juncture point where tongue 38 intersects the central stem portion 32. As best seen in FIG. 3, each boss 50A and 50B is respectively disposed near a respective lateral end face 60, 62.

The securement arm 70 has a central curved finger member 72, a top end 74 and a bottom end 76, a first lateral end 106, and a second lateral end 108. The distance or extent between the first and second lateral ends 106,108 define a lateral width “W” of arm 70. The top end 74 includes an integrally formed planar hand 84, while the bottom end 76 includes an integrally formed offset 90. The securement arm 70 also includes a pair of opposed flanges 100A and 100B integrally formed as part of the securement arm 70 at the juncture point where the planar hand 84 intersects the curved finger member 72. As FIG. 3 shows, each flange 100A and 100 B is respectively disposed near a respective lateral end 106, 108. A shaft 110 extends through each of the opposed bosses 50A,50B and the opposed flanges 100A,100B such that arms 30 and 70 are continuously connected together. As FIG. 3 best shows, when the support arm 30 and securement arm 70 are assembled together, the respective sets of opposed bosses 50 and flanges 100 are in confronting relationship to each other such that they make sliding contact against each other when the clip mechanism 20 is closed and opened during use.

In FIGS. 1-3, a first embodiment of a biasing means is shown to comprise a pair of identical torsional springs 120A, 120B disposed about shaft 110. Biasing means 120A is disposed interior of flange 100A while biasing means 120B is disposed interior of flange 100B.

FIG. 4 shows the arrangement of biasing means 120A, where it is seen that a first spring arm 122A is in resting contact against tongue 38 of the support arm 30 and a second spring arm 124A is in resting contact against the planar hand 84 of the securement arm 70.

In FIG. 5, a second embodiment of the biasing means is shown having a respective open, pocket-like spring seat 52A that is integrally molded within each respective boss 50A on the support arm 30, where the first spring arm 122 is inserted within the open seat 52 and the other spring arm 124 is in resting contact against hand 84. Likewise, the same pocket-like spring seat 52B (not shown) would be provided on the opposed boss 50B, with the spring arms of biasing spring 120B arranged the same way so that first spring arm 122B is inserted within open seat 52B and spring arm 124B is in resting contact against hand 84.

In FIG. 6, a third embodiment of the biasing means is seen as an open, pocket-like spring seat 102A that is integrally molded within flange 100A of the securement arm 70. It should be understood that an identical open, spring-like seat 102B is integrally molded within flange 100B, although not shown, and it will have the same structural and functional features as seat 102A, which will now be described. As seen in FIG. 6, the first spring arm 122A is inserted within the open seat 52A, while the second spring arm 124A is inserted within open seat 100A. By providing the open spring seats 52A and 102A, the spring arms 122A and 124A are completely shielded from the external environment so they have no opportunity to snag or catch against an article of clothing, the user's hand, or to collect lint and dust.

Turning attention again to FIGS. 1 and 2, it is seen that the curved finger member 72 of the securement arm 70 extends downwardly such that it substantially is co-extensive with central stem portion 32 of the support arm 30. The curved finger member 72 terminates with an integrally formed offset 90. As FIG. 3 shows, the offset 90 substantially extends across the entire width “W” of the securement arm 70. The central stem portion 32 of support arm 30 is seen to be delimited by an integrally formed barbed flange 40 that generally extends upwardly and outwardly away from the central stem portion 32. The barbed flange is comprised of a base 42 connected to the central stem portion 32 and an upstanding ledge 43 integrally connected to the base 42. The upstanding ledge 43 has a face 44 that slopes downwardly and away from the central stem portion 32. The barbed flange 40 forms a capturing channel 46 that extends substantially across the entire lateral extent “L” of the support arm 30. The capturing channel 46 is defined by the distance or extent between the upstanding ledge 43 and the central stem portion 32 and it serves as a capturing mechanism for receiving the offset 90 of securement arm 70. Thus, it can be appreciated that when the offset 90 is captured and retained by the capturing mechanism, the barbed flange 40 creates a positive locking of the securement arm 70 with the support arm 30.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show the belt clip mechanism 20 in an open and unlocked position, while FIG. 1 shows the belt clip mechanism in a locked position. To ready the belt clip mechanism 20 for use, it must be opened so that the user's belt 12 can be inserted within or between the support arm 30 and the securement arm 70. To ready for an open position, the user must push down on the downwardly sloping face 44 of the barbed flange 40 in the direction of heavy arrow A of FIG. 2, while simultaneously squeezing the tongue 38 and the planar hand 84 together in order to overcome the biasing tension of spring 120. Pushing down on the downwardly sloping face 44 causes the base 42 to flexure in the same downward direction. The support arm, and especially base 42, is formed of a rigid plastic material that can withstand repeated bending stresses while maintaining structural rigidity when the belt clip mechanism is in a locked position. To close and lock the two arms 30,70 of the clip mechanism together, the curved finger member 72 is pushed in the direction of heavy arrow B shown in FIG. 2 such that offset 90 makes sliding, frictional contact against face 44 of barbed flange 40, whereby the pushing force against face 44 causes the base 42 to flexure downwardly just until the offset 90 overrides the extent of face 44, thereby being captured within the capturing channel 46 of the barbed flange 40. When the offset 90 is received within the capturing channel 46, the downward tension on the base 42 is automatically released and the base 42 returns to its normal or resting position. The biasing tension in spring 120 then acts to bias the offset 90 in continuous contact against the inside surface 48 of the barbed flange 40, thereby positively locking securement arm 70 within the capturing mechanism. The gap between inside surface 48 and offset 90 as shown in FIG. 1 is provided for illustration purposes only and it should be understood that this gap is not present in actual construction or when the belt clip mechanism of the present invention is in use.

In a second embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in FIG. 7, the securement arm 70B is now shown to be a planar member rather than a curved finger member. The top end 34B of the support arm and the top end 74B of the securement arm 70B are now shown to be constructed as an integral, unitary member. By joining the support and securement arms together as a unitary member, it is envisioned that this construction functions as the biasing means itself instead of providing a biasing means in the form of a spring and shaft, as was provided in the preferred embodiment. By that it is envisioned that when the belt clip mechanism 20B is formed of a certain metallic materials or rigid plastic, the unitary construction inherently exhibits a spring-like tendency for the securement arm 70B to remain in the open position where it is not locked within capturing channel 46B. The bottom end 76B of securement arm 70B includes the same offset 90B as shown and described earlier herein in the preferred embodiment of the invention. The offset 90B is locked, retained and released from within the capturing channel 46B of the support arm 30B and otherwise functions in exactly the same manner as previously described in the preferred embodiment with the provision of the torsional spring and shaft arrangement, therefore, a detailed explanation is not necessary. Alternatively, it is also envisioned that the unitary construction between the support and securement arms be such that the two arms inherently exhibit a spring-like tendency to remain in the closed position, where a user would have to push down on the barbed flange 40B of the capturing mechanism 46B in order to release securement arm 70B, while the user physically pulls said arm 70B away from the support arm 30B.

While the apparatus and methods described herein form a preferred embodiment of this invention, it will be understood that this invention is not so limited, and changes can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention, which is defined in the appended claims. 

1. A belt clip mechanism of a case or holster used for carrying portable electronic devices, comprising: a support arm having a front side, a back side, a top end, a bottom end and a central stem portion therebetween, said bottom end including a barbed flange integrally connected to said central stem portion; a securement arm having a top and bottom end and a midsection therebetween, said top and bottom corresponding to said top and bottom end of said support arm, said bottom end including an offset integrally connected to said midsecton; a means for connecting said belt clip to said case or holster, said means attached to said support arm; a biasing means comprised of a spring mounted about a shaft for holding said support and securement arms together at respective top ends, said shaft extending through said top ends of said support and securement arms, wherein said barbed flange presents a capturing mechanism that cooperates with said offset to form a positive locking of said securement arm to said support arm while said belt is interposed therebetween.
 2. The belt clip mechanism of claim 1, wherein said barbed flange is comprised of a semi-rigid base and an upstanding ledge integrally connected to said base.
 3. The belt clip mechanism of claim 2, wherein said upstanding ledge has a downwardly sloping face.
 4. The belt clip of claim 2, wherein a horizontal extent between the upstanding ledge and said base define a capturing channel of said capturing mechanism for receiving said offset.
 5. The belt clip of claim 4, wherein said capturing mechanism has a locked position and an unlocked position, said locked position defined as the position where said offset of said securement arm is positively retained within said capturing channel, and said unlocked position is defined as the position where said offset is released from and disconnected from said capturing channel.
 6. The belt clip of claim 1, wherein said top end of said support arm includes an offset tongue integrally formed with said central stem portion.
 7. The belt clip of claim 1, wherein said top end of said securement arm includes a hand integrally formed with said central stem portion.
 8. The belt clip mechanism of claim 6, wherein said top end of said support arm further includes a pair of opposed bosses, a first boss disposed near said first lateral end face and said second boss disposed near said second lateral end face.
 9. The belt clip mechanism of claim 7, wherein said top end of said securement arm further includes a pair of opposed flanges, a first flange disposed near said first lateral end and said second flange disposed near said second lateral end.
 10. The belt clip mechanism of claim 4, wherein said capturing channel extends from a first lateral end face to a second lateral end face.
 11. The belt clip mechanism of claim 5, wherein said offset of said securement arm extends between said first and second lateral end faces.
 12. The belt clip mechanism of claim 1, wherein said midsection of said securement arm is constructed as one of a curved finger and planar member.
 13. A belt clip mechanism of a case or holster used for carrying portable electronic devices, comprising: a support arm having a front side, a back side, a top end, a bottom end and a central stem portion therebetween, said bottom end including a barbed flange integrally connected to said central stem portion; a securement arm having a top and bottom end and a midsection therebetween, said top and bottom corresponding to said top and bottom end of said support arm, said bottom end including an offset integrally connected to said midsecton; a means for connecting said belt clip to said case or holster, said means attached to said support arm; wherein said support arm and said securement arms are integrally joined at respective top ends so as to form a unitary member, said unitary member exhibiting spring-like characteristics such that said support and securement arms are one of attracted towards and away from the other and wherein said barbed flange presents a capturing mechanism that cooperates with said offset to form a positive locking of said securement arm to said support arm while said belt is interposed therebetween. 